Ashley Harrison’s Blog: Signing off a successful season!

Ashley Harrison’s storming season continues! as we near the end of the eventing season we caught up with her to get the scoop on her latest results, and the stories behind them!

“We are nearing the end of the eventing season which only means one thing cold, dark nights!! However I can go into the winter feeling extremely happy and only hoping I can have as much success next season as I have had this season!”

“Since my last blog a lot has gone on and Zeb and I have had 2 of our best results to date! In August we headed off up to Cheshire for The Pony Club Championships for the open showjumping and eventing. I went hoping to come in the top 10 in the eventing and knew if everything went right on the day I could get on the podium but after my dressage I didn’t think that was going to be possible and would have liked to have just scraped 10th place if I was lucky! Our second half of our test was very good but the first 3 movements we ended up cantering when we were supposed to be trotting! Despite this we still got 32.1 which I was pleased with but when we then had a pole down I just wanted to go out and have fun on the XC as I thought there was no chance of me being placed. We flew the XC that was causing absolute carnage and he made it feel so easy and we went inside the time. The XC caused so much carnage and time was very influential as well we ended up WINNING our section by 9 points!! I couldn’t believe it and I got to stand on the podium which was fantastic!”

“After my massive success at The Pony Club Championships I didn’t think anything else this season would even come close to the champs result but I was wrong! Zeb and I finished 13th out of 66 in our first international CIC*!! It was an amazing experience and I loved wearing my top hat and tails! We got a 55.1 dressage which I was a little disappointed with as I know we both have a lot more to give but I was quite nervous, this score put us in =38th place overnight. I went onto the SJ and XC the next day just wanting to complete the XC as I thought there was no way I would be placed or even get in the top 20. We did our best round at 1m15 and only had one down which was completely my fault and am going to work on our SJ over the winter, the SJ caused a lot more problems than I thought and only about 6 people went clear. Then onto the best part the XC, which is Zebs favourite bit and he flew it like it was a 90! It was longer than we are used to but that didn’t phase him especially with him being a TB and his mum a racehorse he can gallop for ages! There were a lot of combinations including 4 in a row but he made nothing of them. We ended with a fab clear XC and just 2.8 time to add, one of the fastest of the day which meant we moved up 25 places to end 13th and even get a rosette and win some prize money, a result! It was an amazing weekend and an amzing end to such a fantastic season for Zeb and I. Zeb is now having a very well deserved holiday just hacking whilst I concentrate on the 2 youngsters.”

“As well as the excitement with Zeb, Karlo has also been very busy getting ready for his first BE event at Littleton Manor in a week and a half. We have been working very hard on his flatwork as this is his weakest phase having not done much flatwork at all before I got him. He has been having some good lunge sessions with my dad which have really helped him and it is all starting to come together which is great as it is just in time for our event! We are off to Munstead at the weekend for Karlos first ever Hunter Trail so wish us luck and I will report back next week!”